So far we’ve had a fabulous summer… lots of fun, adventure, trips and visitors!! Jodi has recently had some special visitors as well….

Jodi’s sister in law came for a visit! It was very special because although she used to live close to her (her in PA and Jodi in NJ) she moved to Israel when Jodi was pregnant with her oldest. Then they moved from there to Colorado. She had a baby and Jodi had another baby so she had never met either of Jodi’s kids and Jodi had never met her youngest. They had a great time catching up and Rebekah (Jodi’s daughter) got along great with her cousins! She especially took a shining to Elizabeth, the oldest. John and Jodi haddn’t seen her in about 4 years and boy did she get big!

Jodi gave me some photos to share with you…

Jodi’s SIL Patty, holding her nephew for the first time.

The cousins playing in Bekah’s room the first day they visited.

It’s amazing how they have never met but warmed right up to each other right away, oh to be like a child.

The next day they went to the zoo. This is Elizabeth, Rebekah, Elijah and Patty.

Rebekah and Elizabeth were inseparable! (I remember being like this with my cousins when we were young)

Then yesterday they just hung out here at Jodi’s house and ordered pizza.  YUM!

Isaiah, Elizabeth, Rebekah and Elijah

Jodi’s Hubby and his sister and their kids…

This last photo Jodi edited. She really wanted a picture of all of them but John’s dad was here and since he was itching to get into a picture she just couldn’t tell him she wanted just her family so she let him get into the next shot. By the time she was done, everyone was ready to be done with the photo shoot so she didn’t have a chance to get into any photos. Oh well, the life of the photographer lol (I’ve been there). Jodi took several pictures but John’s dad was always making a goofy face or looking at Elijah so I just got rid of him. Jodi didn’t get to be in the picture but at least she was able to manufacture a picture of the two families

(minus Jodi  ).

Can you spot the differences?

Here’s the before….

And the after….

I think she did a fantastic job!! I have a few photos I should do this with. Especially having kids… you know how hard it is to get all your kids looking and smiling at the same time and place in one photo… like never!

It’s always a challenge when you have family that lives far away. It just means we all have to be a bit better at keeping in touch and sending those photos!! We have family in five countries!! I spent the morning on facebook chatting with family in Scotland:)

How about you?? Do you have any family that live far away?? How do you keep in touch??

Baskets of Blessings!  Well I just got out of church and can I say.. This is the day that the Lord has made, I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!  This has been a great week for me, I was blessed to spend a few days at our house in the Texas Hill Country with a girlfriend and we just talked and talked till our ears hurt!  Chilled on the Frio River and just caught up on girl talk.   Aren’t those kind of friends great.  Oh but I was in constant communication with my digi BFF Tabby!  Can I also put in a plug for our Book Club here at GS?  Its just a fun way to chat about what we are reading and I am so loving my ereader that I can’t stand it.  So nothing better for me than relaxing and reading in bed.  Oh and for any of you who know that I started jogging about 3 months ago, I am still a “joggernut” and am up to running for 3 sets of 18 min with a 1 min walk in between.  And I hit the big -30 lbs!  Whoot!  I am going to try to find a zumba class close and check that out and even a yoga class.  I guess when you are my age, you got some time to do those things and now I want to experience some other modes of exercise.  So this week I didn’t see any new questions so I just thought I would share a favorite reciepe with you chikaroos!  Hope you enjoy it and it makes quite a bit so great for covered dishes at church or family reunions.

Oriental Salad

Amount  Measure       Ingredient — Preparation Method
——–  ————  ——————————–
1               head  cabbage — chopped

1              bunch  green onion — chopped

2             packages  Raman Noodles — chicken flavor (*** for my low carb I do 1 pkg.)
1            small pkg  almonds — sliced
1/4        cup  sunflower seeds

DRESSING
1                cup  oil
1/4           cup  sugar
1/4           cup  red wine vinegar
2               tablespoons  soy sauce

First, take a mallet and break up the noodles before you open the packages.  If they are not broken up, they will not break up after you have sauted them.  Saute the two packages of noodles with the almonds in a small amount of oil.  When brown, remove from stove.  Add this to the sliced cabbage.  Pour the seasoning from one package of noodles over the salad.  Add 1 bunch of green onions to the salad.  Make dressing and pour over cabbage.  Enjoy!

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 268 Calories; 26g Fat (83.5% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 8g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 174mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 5 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

NOTES : This makes quite alot of salad and would be great for large gatherings.  It also last for at least one week.

https://gingerscraps.net/gsblog/2010/07/1511/